You're probably just trying to figure out how to time the turkey so it doesn't collide with the opening kickoff. We've all been there. It is the one day a year where the kitchen timer and the game clock have to be perfectly synced. If you are asking what time do the dallas cowboys play on thanksgiving day, the answer for the 2025 season was a 3:30 PM CST (4:30 PM ET) start against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Usually, this middle slot is the sweet spot of the holiday. It’s after the early morning parade madness but before everyone falls into a food coma during the night game. For decades, the Cowboys have anchored this mid-afternoon window, and honestly, it’s basically a law of nature at this point.
The Standard Kickoff Time for the Cowboys
Unless the NFL decides to completely flip the script—which they rarely do with their Thanksgiving cash cows—the Dallas Cowboys almost always play in the late afternoon.
The league has a very specific rhythm for Turkey Day. The Detroit Lions take the 12:30 PM ET slot. Then, the Cowboys follow at 4:30 PM ET. Finally, a rotating primetime game kicks off around 8:20 PM ET. In 2025, that schedule saw the Green Bay Packers visiting Detroit early, followed by the massive showdown at AT&T Stadium where the Cowboys hosted Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Why 4:30 PM ET? Because it maximizes TV ratings. It’s the "afternoon window" where most of the country is either sitting down to eat or just finishing up. It’s peak viewership. In fact, the 2025 matchup against the Chiefs pulled in a staggering 57.2 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched regular-season games ever.
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Where to Watch the Game
If you're hunting for the right channel, it depends on the year, but CBS and FOX usually trade off the Cowboys' Thanksgiving broadcast. In 2025, CBS held the rights.
- TV Network: CBS (traditionally alternates with FOX)
- Streaming: Paramount+ (if it's on CBS) or the FOX Sports app
- Alternative: NFL+ on mobile devices
If you've cut the cord, you aren't totally out of luck. Most major streaming bundles like YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV carry the local affiliates you need. Just make sure you log in about twenty minutes early to deal with any inevitable "app updates" that seem to happen right as the ball is placed on the tee.
Why Do the Cowboys Always Play on Thanksgiving?
It’s a question that comes up every year around the dinner table, usually from someone who is tired of seeing "America's Team" on their screen. The tradition started back in 1966. Tex Schramm, the Cowboys' legendary general manager, wanted to boost the team's national profile.
At the time, people thought it was a gamble. Would people actually watch football on a holiday? Schramm bet they would. He was right. The first game at the Cotton Bowl saw over 80,000 fans show up, and the TV ratings were through the roof. The NFL saw the dollar signs and essentially granted Dallas a permanent seat at the table.
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There was a brief two-year stint in the 1970s where the NFL tried to give the slot to the St. Louis Cardinals to spread the "wealth," but the ratings tanked. The league quickly scurried back to Dallas, and the Cowboys haven't missed a Thanksgiving game since 1977.
What to Expect at the Stadium
If you are lucky enough to be in Arlington instead of on your couch, the vibe is different. It’s not just a game; it’s a full-blown production.
The halftime show is always a major talking point. It’s used to kick off the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign. In 2025, Post Malone took the stage, continuing the trend of big-name artists like Dolly Parton, Jonas Brothers, and Luke Combs.
Basically, it’s a mini-Super Bowl in the middle of November. The roof at AT&T Stadium is often closed to keep the climate controlled, but if the weather is crisp, they might open the end zone doors to let a little autumn air in.
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Preparing for Next Thanksgiving
Since the NFL schedule is usually released in mid-May, you won't know the specific opponent for the 2026 season until then. However, you can bet your last slice of pumpkin pie on the timing.
- Check the Calendar: Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November.
- Mark the Time: 3:30 PM local time (CST) is the standard for the Cowboys.
- Confirm the Broadcaster: Look for the CBS/FOX rotation announcements in the spring.
The most important thing to remember is that the "pre-game" coverage usually starts an hour before kickoff. If you want to see the coin toss and the National Anthem, you'll need to be settled in by 3:00 PM CST.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the official NFL schedule release in May 2026. This is when the league confirms the specific matchups and broadcast partners for the entire holiday tripleheader. Once that is out, you can finalize your travel or hosting plans with certainty.